Treatment for a sprain or strain depends on the extent of the injury and generally comes in two stages. In the first 24 to 48 hours following the injury, the goal is to reduce both swelling and pain. A sprain or strain should be treated using the formula known as RICE - an acronym used to remember how to take care of injuries that stands for:

• Rest. The child should not use the injured area for 48 hours to give it a chance to properly heal. For leg injuries, this may mean staying off the feet completely.
  
  
• Ice. An ice pack should be applied to the area of the child’s injury for 20-minute periods four to eight times a day. Ice should not be applied directly to the skin. Cold packs or ice in a plastic bag covered with a towel are good ways to apply this therapy. Heat should never be applied to an injury for at least 24 hours, because it is likely to increase both swelling and pain.
  
  
• Compression. Elastic wrap bandages, splints, air casts or special boots should be applied around an ankle, knee or wrist that has been injured. This can help reduce swelling.
  
  
• Elevation. When possible, the injured area should be elevated above the level of the heart.

Minor injuries may require nothing more than RICE therapy and over-the-counter pain relief medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. However, children who have suffered a moderate-to-severe sprain or strain usually require care from a medical professional.

In some cases, a hard cast will be applied to aid healing. More severe sprains may require a brace to stabilize the joint or even surgery to repair the ruptured ligament. Severe strains also may require surgery, especially if the muscle or tendon experiences significant damage.

Children typically recover more quickly from sprains or strains than adults. A strain usually takes about one week to heal, while a sprain can take up to several months, depending on the severity of the injury that is present.

After a sprain or strain has healed, the child may be urged to undergo rehabilitation (e.g., physical therapy), particularly following severe injuries. This helps to prevent stiffness and to restore the strength and flexibility of the injured area. Visits with a physical therapist may be part of this process. Such therapy may continue for several weeks, and after particularly severe injuries can take up to a year.